Final Exams

It’s time to show what you’ve learned

The last five days of each semester are set aside for final exams. It’s your responsibility to make sure you know when and where you’ll be taking your finals. Read on to find out everything you need to know about final exams.

Free week

Also known as “dead week,” the week before finals is free of major or final exams, except for practical tests at the end of lab periods. And it’s not true that you won’t have to turn in assignments during free week. If your instructors have assigned paper projects well in advance, they may be due during this week. Make sure you plan ahead.

Finals that happen outside of exam week

Finals for course sections that don’t meet during the last weeks of the term—for example, first eight week classes—will be held during the last class meeting. All other finals will be given during the last five days of the term.

What to do if you have more than three exams scheduled in one day

If you have more than three finals scheduled on the same day, you can take steps to have your exam schedule adjusted. First, check with your instructors to find out if you can schedule a make-up exam. If not, do the following:

Check the exam schedule to find out which three exams come first during the day.

For any exams that follow the first three, make sure you let your instructors know by the middle of the semester.

Or, if you choose, you can take all finals as they are scheduled.

Final exam conflicts

If you have an exam conflict, report to the dean of your school to find out what to do.

Absence from a final exam

If you miss a final exam, even if you have a passing grade in a course, you’ll fail the course. The only exception is if your instructor has reason to believe your absence was out of your control.

If you know you’re going to miss a final, or you miss one for reasons you didn’t expect, talk to your instructor as soon as possible. Your instructor is the one who will make the final decision on whether or not you can make arrangements to satisfy the course requirements.

Final exam week for fall 2018 is Monday, December 10, through Friday, December 14.

When are your final exams?

Check the lists below to find out when your exams are scheduled.

Note that some course and departmental final exam times differ from the standard class and section final exam times. Be sure to check both lists as you’re planning for your finals.

Class or section final exams

Use the first day of the week on which your class normally meets, along with the time it meets, to determine when your final exam will be given.

Classes that meet M, W, F or daily (M, Tu, W, Th, F)

Use this table if:

The first day of the week on which your class normally meets is Monday, Wednesday, or Friday